Padma Venkatraman is the author of BORN BEHIND BARS (Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House) as well as THE BRIDGE HOME, A TIME TO DANCE, ISLAND’S END and CLIMBING THE STAIRS. She is the winner of a WNDB Walter Dean Myers Award, Golden Kite Award, Crystal Kite Award, Nerdy Book Award, two Julia Ward Howe awards, two Paterson Prizes, two Malka Penn honors, three South Asia Book Awards and many other awards and honors. Her novels have been shortlisted for over 20 state awards, received over 20 starred reviews, appeared on numerous best book lists, such as the ALA Notable, NYPL Best Book, Kirkus Best Book, Booklist editor’s Choice and Junior Library Guild selection. Her poetry has been published in Poetry magazine and elsewhere. Before becoming an American author, Dr. Venkatraman spent time under the ocean and in rainforests, served as chief scientist on oceanographic research vessels where she was the only BIPOC female, and also worked as a teacher at a school in the UK and later as diversity director and lecturer at a graduate school in the United States. When she’s not writing, she loves speaking to others about her love for books and her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion and has presented keynote addresses, conducted writing workshops and attended festivals and conferences around the world. She also facilitates meditation sessions and teaches yoga in the tradition of Shri Krishnamacharya, from whom she began learning as a child. Born in India, she is now an American citizen and lives in New England with her family. Her love of poetry and books and her dedication to speaking out against social injustices and speaking up as a woman of color led her to found Diverse Verse and #AuthorsTakeAction. Visit her at www.padmavenkatraman.com ; arrange for a visit via https://theauthorvillage.com/presenters/padma-venkatraman/; follow her on twitter (@padmatv); (@venkatraman.padma) on fb and ig.
